Department of Geology

Department of Geology

Knowing that active, engaged learning digs deep below the surface of problems to find solutions, Wittenberg’s Department of Geology and Earth Science strives to build a solid foundation for students that prepares them to apply geologic understanding to ethical, societal and environmental issues.

Geology studies earth materials and their interactions at all time-scales. Geologists are important to energy security, water scarcity and quality, and understanding landscapes that support food & environmental resources. At Wittenberg, geology students enjoy close interaction with faculty in the classroom, lab, and field, and the program of study is flexible enough to address interests in any of the sub-disciplines of geology, environmental science and earth science and prepares students whose interests range in geologic topics, including watershed protection; damage mitigation for natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods; natural resource exploration and management; and plate tectonics and river systems.

Students regularly participate in summer research and internships both on and off campus, field camps and research experiences through programs such as NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates and the Keck Geology Consortium. Geology students may also serve as Wittenberg’s Hagen Center for Civic & Urban Engagement offers internships each summer that enable geology students to address high-impact watershed issues facing Buck Creek.

Through hands-on learning in Wittenberg’s geology department, students in the department graduate prepared for careers in diverse sectors of the economy, including industry and business as exploration geologists and environmental consultants, academics as teachers and research scientists, and government as natural resource or natural hazard specialists.

Geology majors pursuing a career in secondary education in math and science may be eligible for the Robert C. Noyce Scholarship. Learn more about the Noyce Scholarship on the Wittenberg Noyce Scholarship homepage.